The restaurant was very good; Eleanor had taken 9 Oysters, which were still wriggling beneath the lemon juice. The table setting was as always perfect in every way, crisp white table cloth of the very best linen, matching embroidered napkins with the Carambola emblem on them. Gleaming silverware and sparkling crystal glasses and in the centre of the table, the most delicate floral arrangement of Orchids and Gardenia, giving a feeling of peace and stillness.
Her gaze fastened on the handsome, impeccably dressed gentlemen sitting at the table opposite, Eleanor wondered if this was his first time at the exquisite Carambola. He caught her looking at him and smiled, his deep brown eyes captivated her and something told her by the end of this evening she would know him much better.
The scent of Jasmine wafted from outside and her gaze shifted to the moon shimmering on the calm, black sea below the balcony. In the distance, Eleanor could see a cruise ship passing by, its lights twinkling like diamonds, against the deep darkness of the sky. She wondered where its next port of call was and what delights the passengers were enjoying on board. It slowly dimmed in the distance and was gone.
A shooting star shot across the sky, amidst a myriad of stars and planets.
Eleanor took one of the Oysters and let it slide into her mouth, which was immediately filled with a delicate salty infusion, she marvelled at how something which looked so unappetising could taste so delicious. Eleanor took a sip of the sparkling Champagne, nothing but the best for Eleanor tonight, she had something to celebrate, all she needed was someone to share her success, so far Eleanor had not met her perfect man, someone who would be her soul mate but she felt maybe this would be the night that could change that..
Eleanor was suddenly aware of the waiter standing by her side and realised she had finished her Oysters; she looked up and smiled at Paulo “They were delicious, she enthused”.
Paulo smiled, Eleanor was always a very welcome customer and was very generous with her compliments. Paulo being the Head Waiter was always assigned to wait at her table. They had known each other for years. He refilled her glass and took away the plate containing the empty Oyster shells.
While waiting for Paulo to return, with her next course of Ravioli, Eleanor reached for her handbag and took out her mobile phone, she had set it on silent, as she hated with a passion, phones ringing in restaurants. Eleanor was totally amazed at the amount of congratulatory texts she had received, from friends and family all over the world. She smiled a very contented smile and put the phone back in her handbag.
Paulo returned to the table with the Ravioli, he too had heard of her success and congratulated her. Eleanor thanked him and he left her to enjoy the Ravioli. Eleanor finished her Ravioli and told Paulo she would take her coffee outside in the Atrium, as she wanted to relax and listen to the resident Pianist, Miss Jemima Lee. Miss Lee played Mahler, Eleanor’s favourite composer like no one else. Eleanor sat and let the beautiful sound of the Piano wash over her, Eleanor thought just how lucky she was, she was 32 years old and had been a very successful model, had graced the front covers of all the top fashion magazines but had decided to turn her back on modelling to follow her passion for writing and that passion had made her one of the most famous novelists of recent years and her 10th book, had just stormed into the top spot of the best sellers lists all around the world. How could she top that? Her huge success enabled her to be sitting in this most beautiful restaurant, on one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.
This exquisite life would end this evening with Ravioli and Mahler.
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